5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

Quarterback Blake Decker (5) looks to pass during the opening day of UNLV's training camp up in Ely on Aug. 10, 2014. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

Tim Cornett of UNLV runs for yardage against North Texas during the Heart of Dallas Bowl in Dallas Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

Running back David Greene (22) runs a drill during the opening day of UNLV's training camp up in Ely on Aug. 10, 2014. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

Running back Keith Whitely (28) runs away from the defense during the opening day of UNLV's training camp up in Ely on Aug. 10, 2014. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

UNLV footfall coach Bob Hauck, left, and quarterback Blake Decker during a press conference at Lied Athletic Complex on the UNLV campus, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Hauck announced today that Decker, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College, will be UNLV's starting quarterback for this weekend's game against Arizona. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal) at Arizona.

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

Quarterback Blake Decker during a press conference at Lied Athletic Complex on the UNLV campus, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Decker, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College, will be UNLV's starting quarterback for this weekend's game again Arizona. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal) at Arizona.

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

Quarterback Blake Decker during a press conference at Lied Athletic Complex on the UNLV campus, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Decker, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College, will be UNLV's starting quarterback for this weekend's game again Arizona. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal) at Arizona.

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

Quarterback Blake Decker during a press conference at Lied Athletic Complex on the UNLV campus, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Decker, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College, will be UNLV's starting quarterback for this weekend's game again Arizona. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal) at Arizona.

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

UNLV footfall coach Bob Hauck, left, and quarterback Blake Decker during a press conference at Lied Athletic Complex on the UNLV campus, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Hauck announced today that Decker, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College, will be UNLV's starting quarterback for this weekend's game against Arizona. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal) at Arizona.

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

UNLV footfall coach Bob Hauck, left, during a press conference at Lied Athletic Complex on the UNLV campus, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Hauck announced today that Blake Decker, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College, will be UNLV's starting quarterback for this weekend's game against Arizona. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal) at Arizona.

5 things to watch in UNLV-Arizona game

UNLV footfall coach Bob Hauck, left, during a press conference at Lied Athletic Complex on the UNLV campus, Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Hauck announced today that Blake Decker, a transfer from Scottsdale Community College, will be UNLV's starting quarterback for this weekend's game against Arizona. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal) at Arizona.

UNLV opens its football season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Arizona. Here are the five things to look for in that game.

1. UNLV coach Bobby Hauck has said repeatedly this is a good team, and the season opener will provide the first hints of whether he’s right. If the Rebels can at least give Arizona, a 24-point favorite, a competitive game, that bodes well for the season.

2. New starting quarterback Blake Decker has his chance to show he deserved the job. Caleb Herring came off the bench last season to rescue the Rebels. They don’t want anything so dramatic this season, meaning the onus is on Decker to lead the offense, beginning with this game.

3. UNLV’s biggest question entering training camp was its defensive front, and many of those concerns were assuaged by the play of some newcomers. But that was practice. This is the real thing. The play up front against the Wildcats’ challenging read-zone offense will provide clues on what to expect after this game.

4. Running back Tim Cornett is tough to replace, and no one player will try to do it. David Greene and Keith Whitely enter the season as co-starters, and George Naufahu is expected to be part of the rotation as well. If those backs can provide enough of a running game to ease some of the pressure on Decker, that will be huge.

5. Devante Davis is the Mountain West’s best wide receiver, and he is surrounded by talent. Those other players will need to step up to keep Arizona from double-teaming Davis all night, allowing the offense to open up.

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